After two-year investigation, South African president will not collect more than $580,000 hidden in a sofa

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) – South African President Cyril Ramaphosa will not face criminal charges a hidden cash scandal that came to light more than two years ago and led to an investigation by a special police unit, prosecutors said Thursday.

A former national security chief filed a criminal complaint against Ramaphosa in June 2022, accusing him of kidnapping, bribery and other crimes in connection with the theft of $580,000 in US banknotes that were hidden in a sofa at the ranch president

Former security chief Arthur Fraser alleged that Ramaphosa had been keeping the cash hidden in furniture at his ranch to evade South Africa’s foreign exchange laws when it was stolen.

Instead of reporting the theft, Ramaphosa tried to cover it up by having members of his presidential protection unit track down the thieves, kidnap them and then bribe them to keep quiet about the existence of the money, Fraser said in the affidavit presented to the police.

The theft occurred at Ramaphosa’s game farm in rural northern South Africa in early 2020 and had been kept quiet until Fraser’s allegations. He forced Ramaphosa to admit that the theft took place and brought down his presidency facing a crucial party leadership vote.

He survived the scandal and he was re-elected as South African leader this June, while the criminal investigation had been ongoing. Ramaphosa, 71, was also charged with money laundering, tax evasion and breach of foreign exchange laws over the cash.

He denied wrongdoing and said the money came from the legitimate sale of buffalo at his Phala Phala game farm.

Ramaphosa said he reported the theft to the head of his police protection unit, although he did not explain why the money was hidden on the couch.

Prosecutors said in a statement that the decision not to file charges against Ramaphosa or anyone in his security detail came after “a thorough investigative process.”

The scandal, sometimes known as “farmgate” in South Africa, prompted opposition parties to table an impeachment motion against Ramaphosa in Parliament. His African National Congress party used his majority to block movement at the end of 2022, while Ramaphosa was also compensated by the reserve bank and an independent guard dog.

Two men and a woman, one of whom is said to have been Ramaphosa’s farm worker, were arrested last year and accused of breaking and entering.

Some saw the allegations against Ramaphosa as politically motivated, with Fraser a close ally of former South African President Jacob Zuma. Zuma stepped down in 2018 while facing corruption allegations and was replaced by Ramaphosa, who was his deputy president. Zuma and Ramaphosa have since become bitter political enemies.

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AP Africa News: https://apnews.com/hub/africa